OSSLT Identifying the Main Idea 5 â Questions and Answers
Question 1: A persuasive text opens: 'Every student deserves access to mental health support at school.' The rest of the passage gives three reasons why. What role does the opening sentence play?
- It is a hook designed only to grab the reader's attention.
- It states the main idea that the rest of the passage supports. (Correct answer)
- It introduces a counterargument the writer will later refute.
- It provides background context before the real topic is introduced.
Correct answer: It states the main idea that the rest of the passage supports.
In a persuasive text, the opening claim is typically the thesis or main idea that all supporting reasons defend.
Question 2: A passage describes a flood that destroyed homes, contaminated water supplies, and displaced thousands of residents. What is the main idea?
- Floods are caused by heavy rainfall and poor drainage systems.
- The flood caused widespread and serious damage to the community. (Correct answer)
- Water contamination is the most dangerous effect of any flood.
- Displaced residents need immediate government assistance after floods.
Correct answer: The flood caused widespread and serious damage to the community.
The three consequencesâdestroyed homes, contaminated water, displaced residentsâall point to the central idea of the flood's extensive damage.
Question 3: On the OSSLT, a student must choose between two answer choices for a main idea question: one is very specific, one is very broad. Which is likely correct?
- The very specific one, because detail shows understanding
- The very broad one, because main ideas are always general
- Neitherâthe correct answer is usually somewhere in between (Correct answer)
- The very broad one, because it covers more of the text
Correct answer: Neitherâthe correct answer is usually somewhere in between
The correct main idea is specific enough to reflect the actual passage, but broad enough to cover all the supporting detailsâit avoids both extremes.
Question 4: A passage's first paragraph introduces a problem, the middle paragraphs explain causes, and the final paragraph proposes solutions. What is most likely the main idea?
- The solutions proposed at the end of the passage
- The causes of the problem described in the middle
- The problem itself and the need to address it (Correct answer)
- The background history of how the problem developed
Correct answer: The problem itself and the need to address it
When a passage moves from problem to causes to solutions, the central idea is typically the problem and the overall argument for addressing it.
Question 5: A reading selection includes an interview with a marathon runner who discusses training, nutrition, and mental preparation. What is the main idea?
- Nutrition is the most critical factor in marathon success.
- Successful marathon running requires preparation across multiple areas. (Correct answer)
- Mental preparation is harder to achieve than physical training.
- Training schedules for marathons are extremely demanding.
Correct answer: Successful marathon running requires preparation across multiple areas.
All three topicsâtraining, nutrition, and mental preparationâtogether support the idea that marathon success demands comprehensive preparation.
Question 6: Which of the following is the best main idea statement for a passage that describes challenges faced by new immigrants in Canada?
- Some immigrants to Canada come from very far away.
- New immigrants to Canada face significant challenges as they settle. (Correct answer)
- Canada's immigration policy has changed many times over the years.
- Language barriers are the only serious problem immigrants face.
Correct answer: New immigrants to Canada face significant challenges as they settle.
This statement identifies the topic (new immigrants) and makes a specific, encompassing claim (significant challenges) without overgeneralizing or understating.
Question 7: After reading a passage, a student is unsure whether the main idea is stated or implied. What is the best first step?
- Assume the main idea is always stated and look only at opening sentences.
- Reread the passage and check whether any single sentence covers the entire content. (Correct answer)
- Pick the sentence with the most descriptive language as the main idea.
- Count how many times each keyword appears and use the most frequent one.
Correct answer: Reread the passage and check whether any single sentence covers the entire content.
Rereading to find a sentence that encompasses all the content helps determine if the main idea is stated; if no such sentence exists, it must be inferred.
OSSLT Identifying the Main Idea 5
A persuasive text opens: 'Every student deserves access to mental health support at school.' The rest of the passage gives three reasons why.
What role does the opening sentence play?